Loose-leaf binder.



New 741,387. I PAEENT'ED 00T. 13, 11903. F. H. THOMAS.`

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17, 1902'.

N0 liml'lln-A Itatented October 13, i903.

PnTnNT Omtrent.

FRANK HENRILT THOMAS, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

SFECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters PatentNO. 741,387, dated October 13, 1903.

Application led April 17, 1902. Serial No. 103,252. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK HENRY THOMA s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, connty of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders such as commonly used for binding together the detachable leaves of students note and lecture books, ledgers, and the like. Prior to myinvention there has been employed for this purpose a semiring-like binder ofwire adapted to be inserted through the registering perforations in the various leaves or sheets to be bound, and the two ends of this semiring-like binder have been bent over toward each other and united by a closely- Wound spiral spring carried by one of the overturned ends and adapted to be secured upon or slipped over the opposed overturned end. With this construction Valuable time is required for engaging and disengaging this spring-like locking member with the ends of the binding member.

The object of my invention is to provide a binder having a more simple and effective closure or locking member and one which may be locked and unlocked with greater facility than anything now known to me.

In the drawings illustrating one embodiment of my invention, Figure l shows in face view a common form of loose-leaf cover containing a number of loose leaves united by two of my improved binders. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional detail on the dotted line 2 2, Fig. 1, showing the leaves opened out for use with the binder in elevation; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the binder detached.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my invention there shown for purposes of illustration, ct (t, Figs. l and 2, indicate the boards, and ct the back binding, of a usual cover for loose leaves, and b b indicate the loose leaves, perforated, respectively, at proper points to receive the binding members.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, my improved binder comprises the binding member c, preferably ofordinary steel or resilient wire, bent into substantially semiring-like shape, with one of its ends o overturned and with its extreme overturned end upturned, as at c2, and headed thereat, as shown. The locking member, as indicated at d, may be of brass, steel, or other suitable material, it being substantially rigid longitudinally and trough-shaped in cross-section, as best shown in Fig. l. This locking member d is perforated to enable it to be slipped upon the binding member c over itsend which is not overturned, said locking member being slipped around on the ring-like binding member until it reaches the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 upon the overturned end of said binding member, in which position its opposite end reaches across to and rests upon or against the other end of the binding member, which is not overturned and which for descriptive purposes I will designate the insertion end of said binding member. The shape of the bend ofthe overturned end c' of the binding member is such that the resiliency of the binding-member wire, pressing at its end czin the direction of the arrow upon the outside of the locking member d and at the bend c' in the direction of the arrow upon the inner side of said locking member, makes a lever of the latter and presses its opposite long arm or free end tightly against the insertion end of the binding member. The cup-shaped crosssection of the locking member enables it to tit over and about the insertion end of the binding member, where it is held by the resilient lever action just described at the overturned end of the binding member. The resiliency of thebinding member c in the vicinity of its overturned end is such that to unlock the member d the said member may with slight exertion be lifted or drawn back into its dotted position, Fig. 2, to free it from the insertion endl of the binding member, after which the said locking member may be turned tothe right or to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, to one side, leaving the insertion end of the binding member unobstructed or free for withdrawal from or in sertion through one or more of the detachable sheets. Having been inserted, as in Fig. 2,

the locking member is swung into full-line position, Fig. 2, and dotted position, Fig. 3, and its free end snapped over and about the insertion end of the binder, where it is locked IOO frictionally and by the spring lof the material of the binding member. lVhen in use, the locking member d being straight rests at upon the table or desk, while the curve of the binding member is such as to permit the loose leaves to lie fiat one upon another and to be turned easily to expose one or the other of their respective faces.

The device shown is extremely simple, comprising only two pieces, one of which is formed from Wire and the other struck up from sheet metal. Consequently the device is inexpensive. It is, however, very efficient, because of the very simple manipulation required for locking and unlocking the binding member and because when locked the resiliency of the wire c' acts to hold the locking member firmly upon or against the insertion end of the binding member, from which it is not easily disengaged, excepting intentionally by inserting the fingers beneath it and drawing it outward sufficiently to disengage it from the insertion end of the binding member. The insertion end of the binding member is thus left without enlargement or irregular configuration of any sort to obstruct its ready entrance into or withdrawal from the sheets to be held.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiment here shown and described, but may be variedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claiml. A two-part loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member and a locking member swingingly attached to one end and adapted to engage the other end thereof, said members having means at their attached ends adapted to force their opposite ends into engagement.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member and a substantially straight lever-like locking member swingingly attached to one end and adapted to engage the other end thereof, said members having means at their attached ends adapted to force their opposite ends into engagement.

3'. A loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member having one of its ends only overturned, and a locking member carried by said overturned end and adapted to engage the insertion end of said binding member.

4. A loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member, a locking member carried by one end of said binding member and having a locking engagement with the other or insertion end thereof, said locking member being freely movable to and from the locking position, and means dependent upon the resiliency of one of said members to presssaid locking member into locking engagement with said insertionend when the locking position is reached.

5. A loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member, a substantially straight lockingemember pivoted to the binding member at one point and having locking engagement with the same at another point, and means near the pivotal connection of said members for pressing said locking member into locking engagement with said binding member.

6. As a new article of manufacture a looseleaf binder comprising an arched semiringlike binding member having an insertion end for insertion in the perforations of the loose leaves and affording a semiring-like guide for the loose leaves when the same are moved from one position to another, and a substantially straight lever-locking member carried thereby, to swing in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the binding member, and forming a diametrical connection for the ends of said semiring-like binding member, whereby the same may be laid flat upon a support.

7. A loose-leaf binder comprising a semiring-like binding member having' an insertion end adapted for insertion in the perforations of the loose leaves, a locking member therefor swingingly attached thereto, made trough-shaped in cross-section, and adapted to fit over the insertion end of the said binding member, and means on said insertion member near the point of attachment to cooperate with said trough-shaped locking member.

8. The combination with the covers and a connecting flexible back, of the binders comprising each, a semicircular binding member, and a substantially straight locking member swingingly attached to one end and adapted -to engage the other end thereof.

9. A loose-leaf binding member com prisng a semiring-like binding member having an insertion end adapted for insertion in the perforations of the loose leaves, a locking member swingingly attached to one end and adapted to engage the other end thereof, said locking member being adapted to swing in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the binding member, and means near the attached ends of said members for forcing said locking member into engagement with said binding member.

10. A loose-leaf binder comprising an insertion member and a locking member swingingly attached thereto, said members having irregular surfaces of contact at their attached ends to force their opposite ends into engagement.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK HENRY THOMAS.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK L. EMERY, SUSANV E. HAYNES.

IOO

IIO 

